Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and the American technology company LanzaJet have signed a memorandum of cooperation for a strategic partnership in the production of environmentally sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Kazakhstan.
While in the United States from August 5-7, KMG Chairman of the Board Askhat Khassenov visited the American company’s laboratory in Chicago and met with LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis.
Khassenov noted that KMG aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 15% by 2031, compared to 2019 levels, and developing the country’s biofuels market will support Kazakhstan’s goal of carbon neutrality. He then stated that in response to the current rise in the global demand for SAF, his company is considering its production in Kazakhstan.
LanzaJet CEO, Jimmy Samartzis, emphasized the importance of Kazakhstan’s initial steps towards producing environmentally friendly jet fuel and expressed readiness to provide full technological support. LanzaJet specializes in SAF production technology from ethanol (ethanol-to-jet or alcohol-to-jet) and has long-term off-take agreements with major airlines. In January 2024, the company launched the world’s first commercial-scale LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels plant for SAF production from ethanol.
KMG earlier said that a preliminary feasibility study for the possible construction of a SAF production facility in Kazakhstan had already been completed by KMG and Air Astana with financial assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), an alternative to conventional jet fuel, represents a promising tool for decarbonizing the aviation industry. SAF can be derived from bioethanol (ethanol) produced from plants and other renewable sources, and compared to traditional jet fuel, reduces carbon emissions by 80%.
In Europe, all jet fuel must contain 2% SAF from 2025 onwards, and the use of eco-friendly jet fuel must rise to 63% by 2050.
